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Learning About High Cholesterol in Children

British Columbia Specific Information

What you eat is important to the health of your heart. Heart healthy eating can help you prevent and/or manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart failure. For information on heart healthy eating and nutrition, see Healthy Eating – Heart Health. You may also call 8-1-1 to speak to a registered dietitian, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or you can Email a HealthLinkBC Dietitian.

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat in the blood. It is needed for many body functions, such as making new cells. Cholesterol is made by the body and also comes from food your child eats. High cholesterol means your child has too much of this type of fat in his or her blood.

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol that builds up inside the blood vessel walls, making them too narrow. This reduces the flow of blood and can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL is the "good" cholesterol that helps clear bad cholesterol from the body.

High cholesterol can be caused by eating food with too much saturated fat or cholesterol in it or by being overweight. It can also run in families.

High cholesterol has no symptoms. You may first find out that your child has high cholesterol when your child's doctor does a routine cholesterol test.

How can you prevent high cholesterol in children?

You can help prevent high cholesterol by seeing that your child is active and stays at a healthy weight and eats healthy foods.

Help your child be active and stay at a healthy weight

Encourage your child to be active for at least an hour each day. Your child may like to take a walk with you, ride a bike, or play sports.

Help your child reach and stay at a healthy weight. Be a good role model. Let your child see you eat the healthy foods you want him or her to eat. When you eat out, order salad instead of fries for a side dish.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, and fibre

Fruits and vegetables have lots of nutrients that help protect against heart disease, and they have little-if any-fat. Try to have your child eat at least five servings a day. Dark green, deep orange, or yellow fruits and vegetables are healthy choices.

Keep carrots, celery, and other veggies handy for snacks. Buy fruit that is in season and store it where your child can see it so that he or she will be tempted to eat it. Cook dishes that have a lot of veggies in them, such as stir-fries and soups.

Foods high in fibre may reduce cholesterol levels and provide important vitamins and minerals. High-fibre foods include whole-grain cereals and breads, oatmeal, beans, brown rice, citrus fruits, and apples.

How is high cholesterol treated?

Treatment includes doing the same things you do to prevent high cholesterol. Your doctor may ask that your child eat healthy foods, lose extra weight, and be more active. See the Prevention section above for details.

Treatment may also include medicine. If this is true for your child, have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse call line if you think your child is having a problem with his or her medicine.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Want More Information?

HealthLink BC, your provincial health line, is as close as your phone or the web any time of the day or night, every day of the year.

Call 8-1-1 toll-free in B.C., or for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1.

You can speak with a health service navigator, who can also connect you with a:

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registered dietitian from 9am to 5pm PT, Monday to Friday;

qualified exercise professional from 9am to 5pm PT, Monday to Friday;

pharmacist from 5pm to 9am PT, every day of the year.

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